Machine



3 Sheets-.-Sheet 1. L. B. BENTON.

PUNCH UUTTING MACHINE.

no m m T .w T ,olfl 1%.. M .W W m U. I r

(No Model.)

wi/fines-s es:

-3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

L..B. BENTON.

PUNCH CUTTING MACHINE.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

L. B. BENTON.

PUNCH CUTTING MACHINE.

N0. 332,990. I? X, Patented Dec. 22, 1885.

7137767068 68: Invmtffidr,

zwww W I UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

LINN BOYDBENTON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO BENTON, VVALDQ &00., OF SAME PLACE.

PUNCH-CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 332,990, dated December22,1885.

Application filed February 29, 1884. Serial No. 122,534.

To all whom it may concern;-

Be it known that I, LINN BoYD BENTON, of the city of Milwaukee, in thecounty of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Punch-Cutting Machines; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itpertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

"My invention relates to machines for outtingtype-punches; and itconsists, essentially, of a frame suspended by a universal joint from astandard, of a holder for the work with a universal joint support forthe same attached to said frame and maintained in a horizontal plane bya bracket projecting from the standard,of a lathe-head provided with thecutting-tool and adj ustably attached to said standard, of a table orleaf adjust-ably attached to said standard below the work for holdingthe pattern, and of an upright index-rod depending from the center ofthe swinging frame and provided at its lower end with a follower fortracing the pattern.

. Heretofore type-punches have been successfully produced only by slow,laborious hand processes by persons possessing a rare degree of skill.

To meet a great need in this branch of the manufacture of type, Ihaveproduced apunchcutting machine, the objects of which are, first, economyof time and labor in cutting typepunches, and the consequent diminutionof the cost of the type manufactured therefrom; second, accuracy anduniformity of work; and, third, the simplification of the process ofcutting the original characters by forming the patterns therefor on agreatly-enlarged scale and in their natural order or position-that is,as they appear when printed-the machine being constructed and arrangedto make the proper reduction in size and reversal in order for thetype-punches.

In the accompanying drawings like letters refer to the same parts ineach figure.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my machine. Fig. 2 is a plan View, onan enlarged scale, of the universal joint by which the swinging frame ispivoted to the standard.

(No model.)

Fig. 3 is a like view of the universal-joint support for thework-holder, showing the standchine, cutting the standard through itscenter. Fig. 5 is a like view, on a greatly-enlarged scale, of thelathe-head with the additions by which it is adapted for use with mymachine. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the work-holder together with itssupport. Fig. 7 is a vertical medial section of the lower end of theindex bar or rod depending from the center of the swinging frame inconnection with its attachments for following the pattern. Fig. 8represents a series of followers used in connection with the index-rod.Fig. 9 is a view, on a greatly-enlarged scale, of the cutting end of thetool in connection with a diagram illustrating the method of making thesuccessive cuts by which a punch is formed; and Fig. 10 shows a verticalmedial section of an index-rod adjustable in length.

A is the standard, provided with the broad base F, and at the top withthe bifurcated arm G, between the limbs of which is pivoted the ring L,within which the ring K is pivoted on the line of a diameter at rightangles to the pivotal line of the former and in such manner as to formtherewith a universal joint for suspending the frame T. The ring K isprovided midway between the axes upon which it swings with fourradiating ears, from which depend the rods 6 e, the lower ends of whichare secured in the rim of the disk H, thus forming, with the ring K andsaid disk H, the frame T. In the center of said disk H is rigidlysecured the depending index-rod O, the axis of which lies exactly in thesame line with the axis of the frame T. In the lower end of rod 0 isformed a small vertical socket, into which is inserted the small roundbar 10, with a spiral spring, 00, above it. The bar 10 is turned down atits lower end to form a bearing for. the small rollers SS, and providedalso with a small socket to receive the small tracing-spindles 4 and 5,the functions of which will be hereinafter de scribed.

For cutting punches of various series and sizes it becomes necessary,particularly for the larger sizes, to provide index-rods, as O, of dif=ferent and shorter lengths, or, the same thing in effect, an index-rodadjustable in length, such as is shown in Fig. 10, in which the lowersegment, B, of the rod telescopes into the upper segment, and is set atany desired length by means of the screw D.

For holding the pattern in the desired position, I provide the leaf D,formed with the collar d, by means of which it is secured to standard A,and may be adjusted up or down upon the same. A vertical groove is cutin the back of standard A, and a corresponding groove or seat on theinner side of said sleeve just oppo' site. Aspline, a, inserted therein,permits the vertical adjustment of said leaf D, but prevents its turningupon the standard A, and by means of a set-bolt passing through itssleeve d it may be set at any desired height.

not are side guards, by means of which the pattern may be blocked inposition on the sides, and a is a gage,adj ustable at right angles toitself upon the rod 1), for the purpose of accurate] y setting thepattern.

P is a small hollow cylinder, in general form, passing through anopening in the plate h, which projects from and is secured to the top ofthe adjustable block N. The cylinder P is provided with a horizontalflange, p p,which rests upon said plate h, and it is turned down belowsaid flange to receive the upturned collar 0n the nut U, which in likemanner bears against the lower face of the plate It and 1nain tains thecylinder P in its proper position. The nut U is secured in position bymeans of the-lock-nut W. The cylinder Pforms a support for thework-holder R, and is connected with the swinging frame T by means of auniversaljoint connection composed of the rings I and M, concentrictherewith.

The rods 6 e pass through and are adapted to slide inpert'orations inthe ring I, which is pivoted on each side to the ring M, which in turnispivoted on the opposite sides to the upper part of cylinder P, which isthereby caused to partake of the lateral movement of frame T, while itis maintained throughout said movement in a plane at right angles to theaxis of the machine by the fixed horizontal plate It.

Theblock N is vertically adjustable on the way f, raised upon the frontof standard A, and is retained in any desired position by means of thethumbscrew 7c, passing through a central vertical slot in said standardA and way f To the front face of said block N is attached the lathe-headB, in such manner as to be vertically adjustable therewithand with thework-supporter P.

A small pinor lug, 6, projecting from the face of block N, serves as aguide in setting the lathe-head at all times in the same relativeposit-ion to the cylinder P. A small adjustable block,0,provided with avertically-perforated ear, in which is inserted the micrometeradjustingscrew g, is adapted to slide on the way f, just below the blockN. Like said block N, it is secured at any desired point on said way bythe thumb-screw Z, passing through the slot in standard A.

To further assist in setting the block N for any particular series orsize of type, I provide the block 0 with a taper pin, r,- adapted toengage with a series of small holes drilled in the side of way f, andthereby hold said block .0 perpendicularly at any desired height. The

holes may be graduated and numbered so that each one will represent theproper position for some particular size or member of a series.

The point of the screw 9 engages with a threaded socket in the lower endof the block N, the relative height of which may be adjusted therebywith the greatest nicety.

For use with my machine, I provide the lathe-head B with a small too],0, firmly held when in use by the jaws p, which are provided with asmall cylindrical shank inserted in the hollow shaft of the latter, andthreaded at the end to engage with the inter.- nally-threadedcylindrical stem u, which is provided below with the head g, by means ofwhich the jaws are drawn down into their conical seat, and therebybrought firmly together about the tool in the usual way. I insert intothe lower end of the hollow stem to the internally and externallythreaded sleeve 0', provided with the small adjusting-screw s. the endof which bears against the shank of the tool 0. By this means the toolcan be advanced very slightly and accurately for purposes of grinding,which must be done with the greatest possible precision by a machinemade specially for that purpose, since it is necessary that the toolshould extend the same distance and occupy the same position relative tothe work-supporter P, in order to save adjustments of the work aftereach sharpening. A small pin. t. engages with the pulley of the latheand holds it in any desired position while the tool is being shaped orsharpened.

ened steel cylindrical shell aa, with thebrass lining h it, formed witha square socket in the center for the reception of the punchblank 0 andthe cylindrical back block, b. It is provided with the finely-threadedstem X, formed with the circular head t, which is retained in saidholder by the screw-cap (1, through which the stenrX rises, therebyallowing said stem to turn freely in said holder R.

Between the cap cl and the block 1), around R isthe work-holder, composed of the hardthe head i, is inserted the ring m, which may upper endof cylinder P, and are notched on opposite sides to engage with. smallthreaded pins fixed in said cylinder P, and provided with the set-nuts yy, by means of which the cross-head V is retained in position. Thecross-head V is provided with an internally and externally threadedtapered sleeve, slit to permit ofits contraction about the stem X, andprovided with the clamp-nut 3, by means of which it may be drawn tightlyabout said stem X, and any wear readily taken up.

Above the cross-head V, I place the finelygraduated adjustable disk Y,having numbered divisions on its upper surface, and pr0- vid'ed with athreaded sleeve, by which it is screwed down upon the stem X, and asetscrew for securing it-in any desired position on said stem. Aspring-catch, z, rising from the cross-head V, engages with fine notchescut in the edge of disk Y, to correspond with its graduated face. Bythis means the holder may be raised or lowered with the greatestaccuracy by very small intervals.

For the purpose of rendering the machine capable of making a relativelylarger square cut, I may make the holder R and support P square, whichwould necessitate some change in. the construction and arrangement ofthose parts without departure from the principle of my invention.

My machine operates as follows: The. tool 0 having been-properly ground,sothat its convex converging triangular faces shall form cutting-edgesof the required curve to produce the required bevel in the punch, thelathe-head is secured in place against the face of block N, with thepoint of the tool up and in the line of the axis of the machine, asshown in Figs. 1 and 4. Theblock N, controlling-the position of thelathe-head and the cylinder P with reference to the pivotal point of theframe T, is-set in the required position to produce the requiredproportion be tween the work and pattern. For cutting the various seriesand sizes of typepunches, especially the larger sizes, I provide,ashereinbefore stated, indexrods O of various lengths, or, preferably, anindex-rod adjustable in length, as shown in Fig. 10, and adjust the leafD to different heightson standard A. The nearer the work is brought toand the farther the pattern is placed from the pivot of frame T thegreater will be the reduction of the work from the size of said pattern.By moving the work away from and the pattern toward said pivot thereduction of the workis proportionately diminished. A blank, 6, of thede sired size is placed in the socket of the workholder R, and if toosmall to fill the socket is built out on the sides by blocks g 9, all ofwhich are secured in position by set-screws a, passing through the shella and its lining h. The exposed end of the blank 6 is carefully faceddown even with the edges of the shell a a by means of a fine Scotchwaterstone. An index-rod, G, of the proper length is employed to producethe required reduction for the desired size of letter from agivenpattern. Thepattern is placedon leaf 1) and secured in place by means ofthe wedge c. The holder Ris then set so that the tool 0 will make therod to and thejpins 4 and 5 are used for the last finishing cuts.

Various other means may be employed to perform the function of saidseries of followers. For instance, the edges of the patterns may bebeveled or formed of aseries of steps, and a single tracer caused tofollow said bevel or steps at different heights varying in distance fromthe outline of the character. The pattern may consist of a series ofgrooves, the inner one of which forms the outline of the finishedcharacter, and the single tracer caused to traverse each groove, therebyforming the punch by a series of cuts; or patterns of different sizewith a single trace-r may be employed in cutting each character.

For each successive cut the work is raised,.

anda smaller follower is used, accordingto a scale established byexperiment between the series of followers S, w, 4, and 5, (shown inFig. 8,) and the succession of fractional turns of the threaded stem Xin the crosshead V, as determined by the graduated disk Y. The

followers determine the nearness. of each cut to the face of the letter,while the turns of the threaded stem in the cross-head determine thedepth of each cut. For making the first deep cuts I prefer to use a toolthe pointof which has been slightly taken off in order to free the chipsfrom the punch blank, and for the finishing cuts a pointed three or foursided tool having curved edges, as shown in Fig. 5, by whiehthe bevel isformed from the body of the punch to the face of the character, thefirst cuts being near-. est the bodyand the last out finishing theface.(See Fig. 9.) The two tools used for making the complete p'nnch areexactlyalike, except that the first has its point taken off.

In Fig. 9, representing 011 an enlarged scale a punch-blank, A and thecutting'tool- 0,

making its deepest out, the dotted lines show the successive cuts bywhich the bevel is formed from its base to the face of the character.Such a curve should be given to the cutting-edges of the tool (bygrinding the faces forming those edges to the proper arc) that asuccession of cuts made thereby a little above the point ofthe tool willproduce the desired bevel in forming the punch. The sharper the curve ofthe cutting-edges or the blunter the tool, the greater will be theinclination of the bevel. from a perpendicular, and viceversa.

The point of the tool, as well as the edges, to the depth of therequired, bevel, are used in making the first cut. Each succeeding cut,except the last, is made by a small portion of the cutting-edges abovethe point, which, owing to the curve of the edges, does not touch thework after the first out till the last finishing cut, and that is madeby the very point of the tool.

Since a tool with the point taken off is preferable for making thedeepest cuts and for forming the bottoms of the counters, and since asharp tool used for that part of the work would be blunted and renderedunfit for making the finishing cuts, I employ both a blunt and sharptool, as before stated, for cutting each punch; but instead of changingtools in the same lathehead, which would disturb the adjustment forcutting any particular punch after the work was begun, I use twointerchangeable lathe heads, one provided with the blunt tool, the otherwith the sharp tool.

For accurately setting patterns for letters of any given series of thesame character (curved or straight) and upon the same body, I providethe gage a, which is set on rod 1) to meet the character at the right orleft when thrown forward into the position shown in Fig. 1. When thepattern has been set, the gage may be thrown back out of the way, asshown by the dotted lines in the same figure. I may also use blocks tofill the space between the pattern and the guides n n on the sides ofleaf D.

The proper adjustments having been made the tool is set in rapidrotation, and the pattern is traced by means of the follower at the endof the index-rod G, each of the followers used with said rod being heldsnugly down against the pattern by the spring 00, which also allows thefollower to be raised and placed in the interior openings or counters ofthe patterns. While the follower is tracing the pat tern below, the workis moved, and the tool is cutting the character above in reverseposition and greatly reduced in size.

I find in practice that I am able to produce the best work by abouttwelve to fifteen separate cuts.

The end of the blank to be out should be lapped down upon a fine Scotchwater-stone before cutting is commenced, and after each of the last twoouts I remove the small burr raised by the operation of cutting bylapping it upon the same stone.

The hardened shell a of the holder R furnishes a guide or facing-jig forlapping down the work, as above described.

Without departing from theprinciple of my invention, I may change therelative positions of the work and the tool, making the work stationaryand the cutting-tool movable with the index-rod 0, although I prefer thearrangement previously described.

I claim 1. In a punch cutting machine, the combination of a fixedstandard or frame, a swinging frame suspended therefrom by auniversaljoint connection,a holder for the punch-blank, having a supportconnected with said swinging frame by a universal-joint connection, a

cutting-tool, and mechanism for rotating the same, a leaf attached tothe fixed standard for holding the pattern, an index-rod attached to theswinging frame for tracing the pattern, and a pattern, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

2. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of a fixed frame orstandard, A, an os cillating or swinging frame, T,attached thereto by auniversal-joint connection, a workholder, R, a rotating cutter, asupport, D, for the pattern, and an index-rod, G, for tracing saidpattern, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a punch-cutting-machine, the combination of a standard or frame,A, an oscillating frame, T, composed of the upright rods 6 0, ring K,and disk H, and suspended at the top from standard A by auniversal-joint connection, an index-rod, (1, attached to and dependingfrom said frame, a leaf, D, adjustably attached to standard A, andprovided with gage a, laterally adjustable on rod 1), together with alathe-head, B, attached to the standard A,and provided witha'cuttingtooha holder, R, for the reception of the punch blank, and asupport, 1?, for said holder R, connected with swinging frame T by auniversal-joint connection, substantially as and for the pur poses setforth.

4. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination, with a fixed frame orstandard, A, of a lathe-head, B, provided with a tool, 0, and adjustablyattached to said standard, of a pat tern, E, and a support, D, for saidpattern, to; gether with a support for the punch-blank,

connected by a universal joint with said standard A, and provided with arod fortracing thepattern and giving a corresponding movement to thework, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a punch-cutting machine, the combi-' nation of the standard A,from which is suspended bya universal-joint connection the oscillatingframe T, the work-holdersupport P, embracing and bearing upon thebracket h, which is secured to and projects from the block N, auniversal-joint connection between said support P and frame T, togetherwith a rotating c'utter or tool, a support, D, for the pattern, and anindex for tracing said pattern and moving the work correspondingly,substantiall y as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, in a punch-cutting machine, of standard A, providedwith avertical way, f, a block, N, adj ustably attached upon said way tothe standard, and adjustable block O,also attached upon said way to thestandard A, and provided with the micrometer adjusting-screw g, whichengages with a threaded socket in block N, and with the pin 1", whichengages with a graduated series of holes cut in the way f, theoscillating frameT, suspended bya universaljoint connection from standard A, a work support, P, resting upon a bracket, h, attached to andprojecting from IIO the block N, and connected with said oscillat- I ingframe by a universal joint, together with a rotating cutter and anindex-rod for tracing the pattern, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

7. In a punch-cutting machine, the workholder R, composed of sheila,lining 9, back I), and cap (1, and provided with the stem X,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a punch-cutting machine, the workholder R, provided with a socketfor the reception of the blank,and with the stem X, sub- I stantially asand for the purposes set forth.

9. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of the work-support Pwith the detachable holder R, provided with the threaded stem X, pivotedtherein, cross -head V, and graduated disk Y, together with spring-catchz, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The combination, ina punch-cutting ma chine, of the standard A,worksupport P, the bracket h, attached to the block N, the oscillatingframe T, and the universal-joint connection,as described, between saidswinging frame and said work-support P, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

11. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of the standard A,block'N, adjustably attached thereto and provided with bracket h, thework-support P, secured in and bearing upon said bracket h, and therotary cutter, both attached to block N, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

12. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of the holder R,constituting a facingjig, and, a clamping device,'snbstantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

13. The combination,-in a punch-cutting machine. of a graduated seriesof followers, S, w, 4, and 5, by which the distance of the cut from theface of the character is determined, and the work-holder R, with means,as described, for adjusting its height, whereby the depth of the cut isregulated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination, in a punch-cutting machine, of the work-holder R,cross-head V, and graduated disk Y, together with the cutting-tool,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. The combination, in a punchcutting machine, of a follower, S, fortracing the pattern, a work-holder, R, an adjustable crosshead,V, forregulating the height of said holder, and a cutting-tool, substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

16. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of an index-rod, O, aseries of tracingfollowers, S, w, 4, and 5, the blank-holder R, and therotary cuttingtool, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a punch-cutting machine, the blankholder R, composed of ahardened shell, a, that constitutes a facing-jig, and an interiorclamping device, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

18. In a punch cutting machine, the combination of an indexrod, C, and atracingfollower, S, constructed so that a follower of one size may besubstituted for one of another size, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

19. In a punch cutting machine, a graduated series of followers, S, w,4, and 5, for tracing the pattern, whereby the punch 1s out and finishedby a succession of cuts, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

20. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of a rotary cutter, andthe means for holding and giving the proper lateral movement to thepunch blank and for maintaining the same throughout its movement in aplane at right angles to the axis of the cutter, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

21. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of an index-rod, 0,adjustable in length, so as to reproduce patterns according to differentscales, as desired, and a rotary cutter, 0, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

22. -In apunch cutting machine, the combination of a tapering tool, thework-holder,

the pattern, and an index by which said pat-.

tern is traced and the cut of the tool directed, said tool and holderbeing adjustable so as to permit a series of cuts varying in depth andproximity to the outline of the finished character or design to be made,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

23. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of a tapering tool, awork-holder, a pattern, and an index by which said pattern is traced andthe cut of the tool directed, said v tool or Work-holder beingadjustable in the line of the axis of said tool, or nearly so, and in aplane at right angles, or nearly so, to the axis of said tool, so as toproduce, by the movement of the index about said pattern, a series ofcuts varying in depth and proximity to the outline of the finishedcharacter or design, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

24. In a punch-cutting machine, the combination of a tapering rotarytool and a workholder, said tool or work holder being adjustable in theline of the. axis of said tool or in a line parallel thereto, or nearlyso, a pattern, and an index arranged to trace said pat tern and at thesame time to move said tool or work-holder in a plane at right angles,or nearly so, to the axis of said tool in paths corresponding to thetravel of said index, and varying in proximity to the outline of thefinished character or design, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

LINN BOYD BENTON. Witnesses:

E. H. BOTTUM, J. H. HARDING.

